Week 5 Kindness Story: The Kindness Adventure

 

Children remind us that kindness can be an exciting adventure instead of an awkward chore. Watching them share joy with such authenticity and ease is inspiring especially when they are dealing with their own struggles.

My sister, Laurie, has spent many years volunteering as a counsellor at summer camps for children and teenagers who are struggling with cancer. She shared with me this lovely story of a 10-year-old boy.

The camp had a Carnival Night where children played games to win “bucks” that can be used to buy toys. What stood out about this boy was that he was running from game to game trying to collect as many bucks as possible. After the Carnival ended, the counsellors helped him count his bucks and he bought a beautiful doll. What was so kind about that? The prize he won wasn't for himself but a gift for his younger sister.

Week 4 Kindness Story: A Sister's Love

 

Have you ever met someone who’s so impressive it should be maddening but because they are such a lovely person all you feel is inspired? That’s my sister, Laurie. Although she sent me two kindness stories about other people for this project, I decided she deserves a story just about her.

In my early 20’s I had made an emergency appointment with my psychiatrist because I was starting to feel unsafe living on my own. During that appointment he decided he was going to admit me into the psychiatric ward for the first time because my depression and psychosis were getting out of control. Stunned and terrified, I drove straight to Laurie’s office after my appointment to let her know what was happening. Through tears we decided that she would take me to the hospital that night.

                Although that first night was horrible, what I found out later warmed my heart. Laurie had brought her pajamas to the hospital so that she could sleep on the floor next to me. Imagine volunteering to stay in a place where there were some very mentally ill people just so your little sister wouldn’t be so scared? I’d call that a pretty substantial act of kindness.

Week 3 Kindness Stories: The Art of Listening

I have this knack for creating a safe space for people to open up about their struggles without fear of judgement. When I used to work in hospitality this happened frequently. Strangers would just start telling me about their relationship and work problems or even past childhood trauma and addictions. Often, they would share a lot of personal information and then look at me surprised and say,” I have no idea why I just told you that”.

Although I do have strong active listening skills, I believe strangers share their innermost struggles with me because they don’t feel they have anywhere else to share them. They are looking for people who are willing to put away distractions and hold space for them without judgement or advice. I think an amazing act of kindness is to listen to someone else’s struggles with compassion and curiosity. 

People carry around countless worries about life and they often don’t even realize it until someone actually gives them the time and space to unburden themselves.